Congratulations Ellie

How very proud we are of our Ellie!
This week just gone Ellie found out that she was one of four winners in a competition run by a leading multinational company. Ellie submitted an entry using only 3000 characters (not words) to establish why she should be worthy of an extremely generous grant from the company to work within a not for profit organisation which will help the wider community.
Ellie in her usual proactive way had previously been exploring her future in the drama field and decided to volunteer for an organisation in Unley S.A. called Urban Myth (a youth theatre company) working under a well known director. This was to gain experience for her in the field of directing, which is something Ellie would like to pursue in the future.
SO the short of it is, after a telephone interview and a checking out of her credentials, she has won a grant of up to $50,000 (as wages)which she will be paid in a 12 month period beginning May 1st, then an extra $25,000 which can be utilised within the organisation, plus a laptop and a mobile to keep. An imminent trip to Sydney is also part of the package....I may be wrong, but I think she could be one of the youngest to have received this "prize". I was able to read the applications of the other 3 winners, and believe me she has done outstandingly well to be chosen from some 580 applicants.
God's plan for Ellie and Jordan is an amazing one wherever it may lead. I think God always blesses us when we actively seek out directions for our lives....that's when the windows and doors open. This is amazing and a huge opportunity. Well done.

At the footy...

Caught up with Josh and Colby who played a trial game this weekend here at Labrador........the sun unfortunately got to Josh, and left a sunglasses imprint on his face....not so outstanding due to the quality of my phone camera.

Welcome Home Jordan

Although back in Queensland very briefly for his Grandmother's funeral in Toowoomba, it was GREAT to catch up with Ellie-less Jordan this weekend, who along with Kay came to dinner Saturday night.....Neish came down also as we checked out nephews Joshua and Colby's footy team (the Redland Bombers) play at Labrador (Colby is a bit of a star; Josh is still side-lined). I think Neish is a bit sad as she's staying back here (housesitting) while we go to S.A. for Easter......in just under 2 weeks...YAY

This is something for you to look at Joshua.......can you see the picture behind Jordan on the cupboard. I just noticed it! Is it your picture of the Harbour Bridge that you drew when we were in Sydney last year?

Hello Ellie

Missed seeing you Ellie, but loved catching up with Jordan.

No serious news but a bit of ramble..........

Just chugging along here counting down the weeks till Easter. It's 3 weeks tomorrow till we fly down to South Australia for some R&R. We seem to go from one trip to another......this is seriously our last one planned for a while, so unless someone decides to get married, have a baby or a big 0 birthday, we'll be sitting pretty for a while.

So......what have we been up to?

WELL, we have practicing up on our Carcasonne ready for the Rikki battle. Watch out we are out to get you. For anyone who doesn't know Carcasonne, go get it as it's fun, and absorbing for several hours. We bought one of the additions, the Princess and the Dragon, which is a MUST if you want to knock someone off (like Rikki)! Hello to Caro in Germany if you are reading my blog still........have you been playing Carcasonne lately?

Last Saturday night we had the "funnest" night at the Stillers playing the murder game.......certainly an outlet for some unspent emotion. Anisia came down also, love having her such a short distance away.

Joshua and Colby (nephews) who are now Queenslanders (YAY, some rellies have finally seen the light) came over Saturday for lunch and played Carcasonne.....they too are hooked.

School chugs along also......days are full and pass very quickly. I really enjoy my work, especially now I have aircon in my office. Kids enjoy coming to me quite freely, and I just love all the little ones (and the big ones too)!

My PhD is slowly progressing now with 2 new supervisors............have put my application in for my extension for my Confirmation Seminar. I'm still a ways off doing that though.

Kevin and I continue our nightly walks..........probably 6 out of 7 nights we go. Not Wednesdays usually because of Bible Study here. Kevin has begun a men's group the same night here, and they go downstairs. Had a good response last week at very short notice, so an obvious need is there for men to connect on a deeper level with the Scriptures. Our women's group is GREAT. I decided to do 4x6week blocks in the middle of the school terms for this year, and others have offered to lead, so I just provide the venue and refreshments. Good deal! One of my 2007 priorities second to my work is my PhD, so this is a win-win for me.

So, yes Kevin and I are getting very healthy. We have together made significant changes to our diet, which means there are a lot of things I don't need to buy anymore, just loads of fresh fruit and vegies from the Nerang markets. We don't eat pizza now, since we got a health thing in the mail from the Qld Govt which says it takes 10 hours something of doing nothing to work off 2 slices of pizza! Kevin and I are in competition on the scales. he is looking noticeably trimmer, and his BMI I believe would just now make the healthy weight range........

Enough ramble........will be seeing a number of you in person hopefully very soon.